Abbot of Glendalough, Ireland, born about 498, the date being very obscure; died 3 June 618; son of Coemlog and Coemell. His name signifies fair-begotten. He was baptized by Saint Cronan and educated by Saint Petroc, a Briton. From his twelfth year he studied under monks, and eventually embraced the monastic state. Subsequently he founded the famous monastery of Glendalough (the Valley of the Two Lakes), the parent of several other monastic foundations. After visiting Saints Columba, Comgall, and Cannich at Usneach (Usny Hill) in Westmeath, he proceeded to Clonmacnoise, where Saint Cieran had died three days before, in 544. Having firmly established his community, he retired into solitude for four years, and only returned to Glendalough at the earnest entreaty of his monks. He belonged to the second order of Irish saints and probably was never a bishop. So numerous were his followers that Glendalough became a veritable city in the desert. His festival is kept throughout Ireland. Glendalough became an episcopal see, but is now incorporated with Dublin. Saint Kevin’s house and Saint Kevin’s bed of rock are still to be seen: and the Seven Churches of Glendalough have for centuries been visited by pilgrims.